Nintendo 3DS XL!
One of the most popular toys in Japan is the Nintendo 3DS XL, which is the newest Nintendo machine. Children often get these and/or their cassettes for their birthday or Christmas presents. One of the most popular games are Super Mario, Pokemon and Minna no Mori. This game is so popular among child…(73 words)
RieS
Game Christmas
Buying movie tickets are easy as pie!
In Japan, buying movie tickets is easy, as it can be done at the movie theater. Unless it is a new movie, the process of purchasing tickets is smooth. You simply have to go to the movie theater and tell the person at the cash register/desk the title of the movie and the time. Sometimes, they have m…(110 words)
RieS
Movie
A super store!
It is important to know that a convenience store isn’t just a place to buy drinks, food, masks, stationery, magazines and other everyday products. It has developed to the extent in which you can send domestic mail, have your suit dry cleaned, photocopy, fax and scan and purchase bus, concert and sp…(96 words)
RieS
Convenience store Sport Bus Concert Stationery
A MEGA store for anything you need
Don Quixote is one of the best discount stores in Japan and are present all over the country. If you’re looking for anything for low prices, this would be the first place to look! They sell everything that anyone can look for: bicycles, electronics, clothes, costumes, food, suitcases, etc. They hav…(140 words)
RieS
Manga Discount stores
The Glory that is Onigiri
Often translated as a Japanese rice ball, they tend to come in two distinct shapes: disc and triangle. Onigiri is packed rice with some kind of filling inside then usually (but not always) wrapped in nori or seaweed paper. Imagine a kind maki sushi hamburger. They're easy to eat on the go and they'…(200 words)
Nate
Onigiri (Rice ball) Convenience store Sushi Umeboshi Mayonnaise Trip
Amazing Shopping Stores in Tokyo, Japan
Since Shibuya's newest shopping Oasis, Hikarie, is located immediately above the Shibuya Station on the Ginza, Hanzomon and other lines, I happened to walk up into the amazing structure the other day. I was taken immediately by the high ceilinged/airy feel of the building and I could tell there was…(146 words)
Fashion
Tokyo
Shopping
Building
Shibuya
Ginza
Department store
Art
Books in English
I look for English books at the Kinokuniya Book Store in Shinjuku, right next to Takashimaya Times Square. The have a large selection, including new releases, best sellers, and classics. It's also a great place to find books and flashcards to learn Japanese. http://www.kinokuniya.co.jp/contents…(54 words)
HillaryB
Shinjuku Takashimaya
Oedo Antique Market
I love going to the outdoor Oedo Antique Market at the Tokyo International Forum. It's open on the first and third Sunday of every month. You can find many different items like traditional Japanese clothing and shoes, antique Japanese armor, art, toys, collectibles, jewelry, and other treasures. Th…(65 words)
HillaryB
Tokyo Art Souvenir Shoes Outdoor recreation Jewelry
Step into Old Tokyo
I recommend taking a stroll through Edogawabashi, on the Yuurakucho line. It is not exactly gorgeous like the shopping streets of Ginza in Tokyo, or Kannai in Yokohama, but it has an unmistakable old Tokyo feel to it. "Shoppy" Japanese tunes play over the tall speaker posts lining the street, and s…(147 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Yokohama Shopping Ginza
Department stores in Japan
Out of the many in Tokyo, I would recommend Matsuzakaya. This place has everything from food, clothing and accessory stores. If you get lost or want to know where a specific store is, there is an information desk on the first floor so you will never get lost. Every time I want to find out where wha…(67 words)
Jules
Tokyo Department store Matsuzakaya
Cute clothes
Harajuku on Takeshita street has many little stores which sell cute clothing, some you could only really find there. It is exciting to just walk down this street since it is always busy. You will sometimes see t-shirts with designs never seen before.(43 words)
Jules
Tokyo Harajuku
Cheap and unique Japanese snacks
If you are left with some extra change at the end of your trip and are lost what to do with it, go to any one of the thousands of convenient stores in Japan. You will find many "local" snacks there and you can pick and choose to take back home for your friends and family. I recommend buying snacks …(104 words)
GenS
Mountain Trip
Where to Buy Tickets in Japan?
Purchasing a ticket for a sporting event is easy in Japan. Unlike in the states, you cannot print out your ticket at home. Everything is usually done at a convenience store. You can either buy a ticket online and then visit a convenience store to print your ticket and make the payment or you can ju…(148 words)
GenS
Convenience store Japan Ticket Event Ticket machine Lawson Visit English
Japanese Rock and Roll, Buy Tickets at a Convenience Store
The easiest way to purchase concert tickets, or pretty much any ticket, is at your nearest convenient store. Any of the major "combinis" (seven-eleven, lawson, sankus, and family mart) will have a ticket machine with English guidance. The key is to find the machine (usually next to the printer and …(102 words)
GenS
Lawson Convenience store Ticket Ticket machine Concert Japan
find your favorite SAKE!
If you want to find your favorite Sake, go to Hasegawa Saké Shop （はせがわ酒店）, OMOTESANDO HILLS（表参道ヒルズ） or Tokyu Futakotamagawa RISE （東急二子玉川店） (http://www.hasegawasaketen.com/shop/). They have counter seats, and you can drink a cup of Sake from their choice by paying some amount. Y…(57 words)
Moo Moo
Village Vanguard
Village Vanguard is a cool chain of trinket shops in Tokyo, as well as other areas of Japan. They sell everything from plastic models, to squirtguns, to snacks. And there is also a lot of books. One thing that is pretty popular in Japan among young people is elaborate keychain set ups.Chain wal…(129 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Souvenir
Try Jiro Ramen
Jiro ramen is a famous ramen restaurant chain that only exists in the Tokyo area. Most foreigners don't find it because it's not really advertised and the chefs don't usually speak English. If you feel brave, you can try it on your own or have a Japanese person accompany you. it is some of the best…(91 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Restaurant Ramen noodles
Street parking? Parking lot?
It is not recommended to park illegally on the side of the streets where there is no street parking, because the police come around frequently. Therefore, you should either use the street parking (and definitely put the money in the meter) or go to a nearby parking lot. For street parking, you usua…(122 words)
RieS
Park Police
Harajuku is the place to go
Recently, I went to Harajuku's Takeshita Dori to do some shopping. This is probably one of the hottest spots for Gyaru, where even some of the store employees have the Gyaru make-up and fashion. As the stores are aimed for young Japanese girls, the prices are also reasonable and many stores often h…(134 words)
RieS
Harajuku Shopping Fashion Jewelry
Large parks in Tokyo
Many large parks in Tokyo such as Shinjuku Central Park, Yoyogi Park, Komazawa Olympic Park have regular flea markets throughout the year.Japan has in some cases a binary culture in terms of used items. In general, and you will hear many Japanese and foreigners alike claim this, Japanese LOVE n…(167 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Park Shopping Shinjuku Yoyogi Park
Try Asakusa by Kaminarimon
There are numerous kimono stores along the shopping avenue directly behind Kaminarimon in Asakusa. They have kimonos of varying quality available. If you're looking for a proper, traditional Kimono, expect to spend a few thousand dollars. If you're looking for something more affordable, there are o…(47 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Shopping Asakusa Kimono
See if You Like Shochu
Of the varieties of alcohol in Japan, Shochu is the most common hard liquor that is often drank on its own and is mixed in a variety of drinks. It's strength is typically in the 15-20% range and comes has a wide variety of brands to try. It tastes like sour plums. Even if you don't like it on its o…(87 words)
KurtisW
Shochu
Give them the Gift of Language
While toys and trinkets are fine gifts for children, consider buying your child a book about learning Japanese. Many of these can come in the form of picture books that teach them simple vocabulary, such as counting in Japanese or how to say their favorite toys in Japanese. If they become intereste…(133 words)
KurtisW
Souvenir Toy
Kimono for you to wear or for souvenir?
Traditional Kimono is wide range of the price.If you would like to buy traditional Kimono for you to wear, you can go to the department store such as Mitsukoshi Department Store in Nihongobashi or Shinjyuku Takashimaya Department store. The most of Department store have a Kimono shop and the…(150 words)
yukorose
Souvenir Kimono Tokyo Department store Harajuku Takashimaya Mitsukoshi
Daiso is SO da BOMB!
Back home the dollar store is home to outdated, tacky t-shirts, plastic plates and expired candy and food. In Japan, however, the hyaku-en shop, or Daiso, is a mecca of high-quality goods and great Japanese souvenirs.Plates, bowls, mugs and cups that would cost 10 times as much in your home cou…(188 words)
Nate
Daiso 100 yen shop Discount stores
Not everything costs 100 yen
Some items in the stores cost more than 100 yen so pay attention to the price tags. There are some items that go for up to 600 yen or so. With the tax hike, all goods are at least 108 yen at this time and may rise in the future with additional tax increases.(54 words)
Kenji
May
Makuhari Garden Walk
Makuhari Garden Walk is right next to Kaihin Makuhari station. This is a great outlet mall with numerous shops from brand name fashion for handbags to sporting goods. Also, Costco is nearby as well, although visiting Costco is best by car. Two stations before Kaihin Makuhari is Minami Funabashi s…(64 words)
Kevin
Tokyo Shopping Fashion
Great department in Japan.
I would like to suggest some good departments in Japan. Isetan, Marui and Sogo, these 3 partments are my favorite ones which sell agreat food in the basement floor and sell clothing.(31 words)
PatY
Tokyo Department store Isetan Sogo
What are the toy machines "Gacha Gacha" I see around town?
They are one-coin operating gadget vending machines! I would say they were developed based on Japanese people's two characteristics - 1. Like to test one's luck. 2. Love the action of devising an unusual plan on tiny items. Japanese people love to test their luck based on every little things ar…(245 words)
totowatanabe
Toy Etiquette
Can you recommend a department store in Tokyo?
Mitsukoshi and Isetan are the two biggest department store brands with several branch locations around Tokyo. The best are the Isetan in Shinjuku or the Mitsukoshis in Ginza or Nihonbashi.(30 words)
Nico
Tokyo Shinjuku Ginza Department store Isetan Mitsukoshi
Local Shops Have Great Prices Too
Daiso is actually a Hiroshima company that is now in Australia and other countries around Asia as well. However, none of the products are actually made in Japan. Of course it is fun to walk around and see all the cheap Chinese made products, but you can actually find most of the good things they ha…(387 words)
jjwalsh
Tokyo City Shopping History Harajuku Okonomiyaki Hiroshima Daiso 100 yen shop Yamaguchi
Where to Find a Tasty Japanese Bento in Japan?
I had a wonderful taste of Miyagi, Hiroshima and Kyoto before I reached Fujisawa just 30 minutes later on the Tokkaido line from Tokyo station. I splurged on the green car for a very relaxed and private meal and let me tastebuds have a party. If you a planning a 30 plus minute ride on a train from …(79 words)
Bento (box meal)
Japan
Tokyo
Train
Kyoto
Hiroshima
Miyagi
Parking overview
#1 is do not park on the street unless it's a clearly marked spot.It's important to know that parking violations mean points on one's driver's license like a speeding ticket, etc. The fine is typically around 15,000 yen also. There are probably arcane ways to fight this ("It wasn't me driving."),…(735 words)
Bones
Park Ticket Building Ticket machine Coin
Go to a 100 yen store, any 100 yen store
You will find whole bags of "crap" that kids will love for cheap. A 2000 yen gift bag filled from the 100 yen store will send kids into a friggin tizzy back home. Seriously.(32 words)
Ray_Proper
Souvenir
Tokyo Station
You can find a wide variety of souvenirs, mostly foods and lifestyle goods, at shops and department stores inside or near Tokyo Station. If you don't have time to go outside of the station, try "e-cute". They have nicely designed boxes of snacks and foods. http://www.ecute.jp/tokyo/For some…(106 words)
Natchan
Tokyo Shopping Building Department store Fashion Marunouchi Daimaru
What is a good souvenir for children?
Big soft toys! Japan has tons of soft toys that come in many shapes and cute characters. I would recommend you to visit one of the game centers and try out their UFO catchers. In some places like Round One, Namco etc, you can ask the staff how to efficiently win it or place it where you can easily …(78 words)
lucaslim
Souvenir Game Amusement arcade
Try discount ticket shops
If there's a discount ticket shop, called kinken shop, in your neighborhood or near places you go to, try find movie tickets there because they're cheaper. A movie ticket for an adult is 1800 yen, but usually at kinken shop, it's around 1,300 to 1,500 yen. It's a good deal if you're not going to se…(87 words)
Natchan
Train Shopping Shinjuku Ticket Ginza Train station Movie
You can go online
For concert and theater tickets, I usually buy them online. Most ticket outlets has their own sites, and try using eplus ( http://eplus.jp ) for their large selection among these.The challenges with these sites are (i) they are only available in Japanese, and (ii) they require registration to m…(124 words)
ToshiA
Ticket Event Concert Lawson